David Lee Horvath

David Lee Horvath “The Boss”, age 76, was born November 7th, 1942 & passed away at his home On September 28th, 2019 with his family by his side. He joined his loving mother Opal, 2 of his brothers Gordon & Peter Horvath & 3 of our well loved pups Sheba, Stryker & Buttons (aka Crazy dog). David was born in Joliet, IL but grew up in Fargo North, Dakota with his brothers & loving mother Opal E. Horvath. Growing up he worked at a local dress shop & received many accolades/awards for his exceptional shooting skills with the Fargo Junior Rifle Club. He later joined the Army out of High School as part of “The Big Red One” or also called 1st Infantry Division continuing his Expert Rifle skills in Germany & proudly serving his Country. I am certain he had many great adventures abroad (if only his antique German camera could talk!) He returned home with Honors to attend North Dakota State University later graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Architecture. He was very creative & talented in Art such a sculptures, photography & artwork. During this time he also purchased his Brand new PRIZED Red 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto Convertible in which his daughter had hoped to restore to her original beauty for him. Once graduated from NDSU David accepted a position in Seattle, WA & made his way West. In April of 1972 he married the love of his life Joan L. Olsen in Seattle, WA. along with gaining 2 incredible stepchildren Cathy Green & Daniel Hay. David & Joan were members of the Northwest Alfa Romeo car club in which David shared his love of his prized car with others at events throughout King County. David purchased his 1st home in Renton, WA in 1973 with his Earned VA Benefits & on December 18th, 1975 welcomed is only Daughter (by blood) Johanna Lynn Horvath (now Rasmussen). David continued to work in Architecture designing & overseeing the building of amazing homes, hospitals, malls & so many other incredible works of art. His style was that of huge Frank Lloyd Wright with clean lines & mid-century look. David was an exceptionally hard-working man who spent his life working long hours to ensure his family was cared for to the best of his abilities. He took his family on several camping trips each year to going fishing or to the beach at Westport, WA to yearly contest to see who could find the smallest or largest sand dollars (hours & hours combing the beach meticulously searching during the lowest tides). He enjoyed working on cars including teaching his daughter everything she knows about fixing & maintaining them. David & his daughter used to spend weekends going to cars shows together, special lunches while she spent days on his jobsites helping her dad, playing computer games & countless hours listening to the Beatles or singing silly songs. Once forced into retirement after the 9/11 tragedy David enjoyed getting to spend even more time with his family especially as his Daughter & Grandson Blake moved back home to help out. Blake David Horvath (Named after his Papa) was born in January 1993 with Down Syndrome & his Papa definitely took a leading role in his life as fierce protector, best bud & teacher. They spent countless hours together watching silly shows, fishing, running around town & just having fun. Blake was his best buddy as they clipped coupons (Papa was VERY frugal) to get weekly Friday night Papa Murphy’s pizza then getting up early on Saturday mornings to get Chucks Donuts, weekly lottery tickets at Hop Inn Grocery & just spending time hanging out. In 2004 David proudly welcomed his 2nd grandson Dylan Robert Lugar who he also loved spending time with. A little older at this time David was not able to do as much outside the home with Dylan because he was wicked fast but still took him on his regular weekly adventures around town & helping pickup supplies for daughters Espresso business. He now had 2 best buds to follow him around & absorb his wisdom. David spent countless hours of building with Legos insisting Dylan was certain to become an engineer or architect one day. In 2006 David purchased a 2nd home in East Renton equipped with a MIL Unit. He purchased to ensure future stability for his daughter/grandsons with the plan in 10 years or so as his & Joan’s health declined they would all be in 1 house saving tons of $$$ by sharing costs. David was always meticulously planning ahead for whatever may come! Unfortunately, due to financial crisis of our Country & unexpected decline in health for both Joan & David this time came much quicker than planned. He demanded It was just not feasible for his daughter to keep maintaining 2 homes anymore both financially or physically. David & Joan sold their home of 33 years & moved a just few miles away to very nice 1 bedroom MIL unit with daughter & grandsons just feet away. So once again David was able to spend EVEN more time with his grandsons but still able to lock the door between living spaces when he wanted. David was a loving Papa so proud of both his grandson’s achievements in sports, school & just life in general. David played a huge part in their upbringing & it shows daily in their dedication, accomplishments, kind hearts, silliness & attitudes both good/bad. As David’s health continued to slowly decline his daughter was able to care for him at home so he could be surrounded by family. His memory was slowly being stolen by Dementia & his physical abilities hampered by his heart disease that could no longer be fixed. But that didn’t stop his humor, silly songs or feisty behavior. To no surprise David was full of smart ass comments until his final moments. Preceding him in death are his parents; Opal Evangeline Horvath (Doeling), Peter J Horvath; his brothers Peter Horvath & Gordon Horvath. He is survived by his wife of 47 years Joan L Horvath (Olsen), his daughter Johanna Lynn Rasmussen (Horvath) & husband Nathaniel Rasmussen, grandsons Blake David Horvath, Dylan Robert Lugar, Step grandsons James Rasmussen & Steven Rasmussen & great grandkids; Stepson Daniel Hay (Seattle); Stepdaughter Catherine Green (Hay) & husband Rick along with 2 grandchildren Shannon Green & Kyle Green; His brother Robert Horvath & Wife Kathi of Minot, ND; his brother of Ron Horvath & Wife Cathy of Omaha, Nebraska; Gordons wife Maxine of Arizona and numerous extended family members in the United States & beyond. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made towards his final arrangements as it was only thing he hadn’t planned ahead for in life. Donations can be made by Paypal at paypal.me/Libertymom55 or mailed to family home. Msg From his daughter Johanna: My Dad was my best friend & my heart is shattered with his passing:( My Dad was a very private person & didn't share a lot about his younger days. Please post memories, stories & photos of my Dad as they will be creating a special book for me & my boys from these posts. Thank you FORMAL SERVICE IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 18TH AT 1PM AT TAHOMA NATIONAL 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA 98042 Also expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenwoodmempark.com for the HORVATH family.